The Ultimate Mattress Buying Guide: How to Choose a Mattress

Written by Steven Asch, Contributing Writer

Steven Asch

Contributing Writer

Steven has spent the last few years researching the ins and outs of mattresses. As an active athlete for many years, he understands the importance of a quality night’s sleep in maintaining a healthier life.

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Updated on April 9, 2026

Updated on April 9, 2026

Fact-Checked by Sosha Lewis, Certified Sleep Science Coach

Sosha Lewis

Certified Sleep Science Coach

After Sosha began writing sleep-related content, she knew she wanted to learn more about this important (yet often elusive!) aspect of human health and well-being. She became a Certified Sleep Science Coach to better understand what goes into getting a good night’s rest—including one’s choice of mattress. Sosha now calls upon this training when she tests and writes about beds and sleep accessories, and when she’s consulted for recommendations by publications such as Livingetc.

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Expert Contributor Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM

Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM

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Investing in a new mattress can seem overwhelming. The mattress industry has grown significantly, creating more choices than ever before. Not only are there many different types of mattresses to serve different body types and sleep positions, but there is also a range of innovative features and options to consider.

It’s no surprise if you’re left wondering how to choose a mattress that will be best for you, and that’s where we come in to help. Our team at Mattress Clarity has tested over 500 mattresses and 150 sleep accessories since our start more than 7 years ago. 

In addition to following a detailed testing methodology, our team also receives guidance from medical experts such as Dr. Raj Dasgupta, our chief medical advisor, and Dr. Hannah Habeeb, our chief medical product tester. Adhering to these protocols allows us to offer unbiased, in-depth mattress reviews that have helped more than 43,000 people find a bed, with more than 6,600 sleepers using our insights to purchase a new mattress in 2025 alone.

So, if you’re tired of your current mattress but overwhelmed by all the choices out there, take a deep breath — because we have you covered with this omprehensive mattress-buying guide. 

2026 Mattress Trends

The mattress industry continues to modernize, offering new cooling features, eco-friendly construction, and generous dynamic pricing. Let’s take a look at some of the trends we’re following in 2026. 

Innovations in Cooling

Hot sleepers, or people who struggle to fall asleep feeling trapped in their own body heat, have an array of new mattresses available today to help keep them cool. Hybrid mattresses are becoming increasingly popular, allowing sleepers to enjoy the plush comfort of memory foam while benefiting from quality airflow and breathability from an airy coil layer.

Furthermore, mattress brands are treating fabrics to be more breathable, using phase-change materials that help dissipate body heat. For example, brands such as Brooklyn Bedding or Helix offer the GlacioTex cooling cover, which our testers find “cool to the touch” in our testing studio and a potentially great modern solution for dissipating body heat when resting on a bed.

More and more brands are finding ways to keep sleepers cool without driving up their AC bills. If you’re a hot sleeper, consider checking out the top cooling mattresses available today.

Eco-friendly Materials and Construction

Brands are increasingly using CertiPUR-US–certified foams, to the point where the certification is now a baseline expectation and not a bonus. Many beds are also much more eco-friendly, more hypoallergenic, and certified by reputable third-party organizations for their lack of emissions and other potentially unhealthy components.

Manufacturers are also making environmentally-conscious strides without compromising quality. We tested some of the best organic mattresses on the market today and found excellent choices. 

Dynamic Discounts and Pricing

With the constantly growing online market, brands are always looking to outprice their competitors. Even luxury mattresses that give you a 5-star hotel sleeping experience are heavily discounted multiple times a year. Whether it’s Memorial Day, Black Friday, or the 4th of July, you may find mattresses within your budget that you never thought possible.

A bed-in-a-box, or online mattress delivered to your home, has cut out the middleman markup across the industry. It’s important to research and frequently check for promotions on the mattress you’re eyeing, and not assume you just need to settle for the cheapest one.

Best Mattresses of 2026

Below are our top mattress picks for 2026. 

Highlights from the Best of the Best

Each mattress on our list is tested in our in-person testing studio by one of our sleep experts. Check out some of the highlights from those that are best in class.

• Nectar Mattress – Best Mattress Overall

This mattress offers the plush comfort of memory foam without compromising spinal support. When our tester, Livvi DiCicco, tried it out, she said, “Back sleeping felt like a breeze. The bed conforms to your lumbar area and fills in the space there, and it’s supportive enough to feel comfortable as it cushions.”  

• Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress – Best Mattress for Back Pain

The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress that combines foam and coils for balanced comfort and support. Our tester said, “It has a nice cozy, plush feel to it while still remaining supportive.”

• Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers

This hybrid mattress is great for hot sleepers and heavier sleepers due to its versatile build. Our heavier (over 230 pounds) tester said this when they tried it out, “I feel equally supported on this mattress when I’m resting on my back or side. At the same time, it’s also cozy.”

When to Buy a New Mattress

There are no hard or fast rules when it comes to swapping out a mattress. Durable mattresses made with high-quality materials will outlast cheaper ones, and the level of wear and tear a mattress undergoes will also be a factor in how long it lasts.

Our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, gave us some signs to look for when it comes to buying a new mattress. 

He also noted that noticeable sagging is a telltale indication that it is time to go mattress shopping. 

What to Look for in a New Mattress

Once you’ve decided to replace your mattress, what should one expect from a new mattress and what is the best mattress? Here’s a list of things to think about before handing over the credit card for a new purchase

Types of Mattresses

One of the first questions you’ll face when deciding on a new mattress is which type of mattress you want to buy. There are more mattress types available than ever before, and they each come with their own pros, cons, and distinct features. Here’s an overview of the different types of mattresses you’re likely to encounter in your quest for a new sleeping surface.

Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses have become increasingly popular. They allow for people to get a lot of good support and pressure relief without the “bouncy” feeling of a coil system.

There are many types of foams to choose from, and they each offer different characteristics. Below are some of the most common options for foam mattresses.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is made up of a material called viscoelastic polyurethane foam. Memory foam mattresses contour around the body and often allow sleepers to slowly sink into the mattress. Side sleepers often appreciate how these mattresses gently hug their joints, while back sleepers may benefit ability from better spinal alignment, which can be great for those with back pain issues.

Latex 

Latex mattresses, like those made from memory foams, is comfortable and supportive but is generally cooler and more responsive. This means you’ll typically get less of that “sinking in” feeling, and many sleepers find latex easier to move around on, making it great for combination sleepers and sexually active couples. It’s a durable foam as well.

Also, if you’re wondering about latex mattress allergies, read our informative article. It covers exactly how these latex allergies work.

RELATED: Memory Foam Vs. Latex

Hybrid Mattresses

A hybrid mattress is made up of a coil system plus another major material — a foam or multiple different foam layers or natural fibers. People tend to gravitate toward hybrid mattresses when they want the qualities that both a coil system and foam can provide, namely a good balance of comfort and support. Often this means they like a little spring and support in their mattress but also enjoy the pressure-relieving and body-conforming characteristics that foam has to offer.

Innerspring Mattresses

When people hear the word “mattress,” they often think of a traditional innerspring mattress. More than 60 percent of today’s mattress sales are innerspring mattresses, according to Consumer Reports. This popular mattress type is supported by a coil system and usually padded with a softer upholstery material (foam, fiber, or even another layer of coils).

There is no one standard innerspring mattress. Look at the type of coils, their gauge, and their count to assess which bed is right.

Mattress Features

Cooling

Staying cool at night is important to many sleepers. Manufacturers have taken note of this and are using innovative materials and advanced technologies to keep you from waking being drenched in sweat or kicking all the covers off overnight because your mattress isn’t breathing well. Even memory foam, once notorious for its heat retention, uses cooling gels and other features to keep sleepers comfortable. Check out best beds for hot sleepers to stay cool as a cucumber at night. 

Pressure Relief

If you wake up with sore or aching joints, you may need a better with better pressure relief. The amount of pressure you feel when you sleep is largely dependent on your sleep position, with side sleepers typically experiencing the most, and your body type. To find how a bed performs for this category, we testers with various body types, to help us understanding the type of sleepers who would receive the best pressure relief. 

Motion Isolation

For those who sleep with a partner, motion isolation is extremely important. A mattress that handles isolates motion well will ensure that sleeping partners do not disturb one another when they move around at night. Those who want a mattress with little motion transfer should consider something with memory foam. This material is known for cutting down on motion transfer.

Edge Support

Different mattresses will provide varying degrees of edge support. A mattress with great edge support allows sleepers to rest close to the edge and maximize the surface area. Poor edge support will leave sleepers feeling like they are going to roll off the bed when they get close to the edge, and it may also hinder seniors and those with mobility concerns from getting out bed easily.  Solid support along the perimeters is also often a top indicator of a bed’s durability. 

Durability

For most people, a mattress is a big investment. That means it’s important to think about how long one wants a new bed to last. Mattresses made with high-quality materials and good construction will easily outlast cheaper options, which means it won’t be necessary to buy a new mattress as frequently.

Budget-Friendliness

No one wants to feel like they broke the bank for a new bed. There are plenty of options out there, so it’s possible to find something that meets one’s needs without going into debt, whether you’re looking for a cheap mattress or a luxury option.

Mattress Sizes

In some cases, it’s not always clear which mattress size is right for a room. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding on the right mattress:

• Consider how much sleeping surface area will be available (and partners if this applies).
• Consider whether the mattress would leave enough extra room in the bedroom for moving around, hanging out, and relaxing.
• Consider whether the size is worth the price. Don’t spend more on a bed than you need to. Rarely is a King necessary for a single person, unless just wanting to fill the space of a room.

Still not sure which mattress size is right? Below we’ve put together details on each mattress size to further inform that next big purchase.

Trying to decide between two sizes? We’ve got a list of mattress size comparisons to make it an easy decision:

• Twin vs. Twin XL Beds
• Full vs. Twin Beds
• Full Bed vs. Twin XL Beds
• Twin vs. Queen Beds
• Twin XL vs. Queen Beds
• Full vs. Queen Beds
• King vs. California King

Sleep Position and Comfort Levels

In addition to choosing a mattress based on its construction and materials, take your sleep position and the mattress comfort level into consideration. These factors go hand-in-hand with which type of mattress you pick, and they will get you a step closer to finding the perfect mattress.

Comfort levels are basically a range of firmness. They tend to start with Extra Plush or Plush (on the softer side) and end with Firm, Extra Firm, or even Luxury Firm (on the firmer side). Some models just have one comfort level; others will offer different comfort options. Mattress firmness is often rated on a scale from one to 10, with 6.5 to 7 considered “average” firmness for a mattress.

Determining the right comfort level will come down to a combination of personal preference and usual sleep position(s). Here are some general rules of thumb:

• Back sleepers. Back sleepers tend to do best with an average firmness (right around 6.5 or 7 on a 10-point scale). They could benefit from a range of comfort level labels as long as the mattress falls close to the middle in firmness.
• Side sleepers. When side sleeping, there is a lot more pressure put on shoulders, hips, and knees. The best mattresses for side sleepers tend to be softer or plusher options, which provide extra relief and more contouring support.
• Stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers need more support on their stomachs at night and will do best with a firmer-than-average mattress option.
• Combination sleepers. This is really where personal preference comes into play. If you wake up primarily in one position, use that as a guide. But you may have to test out a few comfort levels before finding the best mattress for combination sleepers.

If a mattress’s firmness is still unclear, don’t hesitate to check out our mattress firmness guide.

What If I Have Specific Sleep Needs?

If you have specific needs — whether you’re a hot sleeper or dealing with a chronic injury — you’ll want to shop for a mattress that will suit these conditions.

If you are under the care of a medical professional, consult with them about the best ways to stay comfortable and what you might need in a mattress to make that happen. Don’t solely rely on a mattress salesperson or customer service representative; they may not understand your specific situation and could make a suggestion that’s not really in your best interests.

Everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to their mattress, but here are some scenarios that might require a little extra consideration:

• You sleep hot. Look for mattresses with a construction that promotes airflow. Coil systems allow air to pass through, while some gel-infused foams that utilize phase change materials (PCMs) can help draw heat away from your body at night. Not to get too technical, but PCMs are substances that change from one state to another depending on temperature. They can absorb and release large amounts of energy to keep a consistent temperature, which makes them ideal for bedding products such as mattresses. In contrast, all-foam beds are known for trapping heat, so look for options that specifically call out coolness or breathability as a feature.
• You’re recovering from an injury or have a chronic injury. You will more likely than not want a supportive mattress — but that doesn’t always mean you need a firm bed. Look for beds with foam layers that offer contouring and pressure relief, which should help mitigate aches and pains.
• You’re pregnant. At some point during pregnancy, sleeping gets uncomfortable. Pregnant people are often advised to start sleeping on their sides during the night. The trouble is that this puts pressure on your shoulders, hips, knees, and back as well as your growing bump. To help make yourself more comfortable, it might be worth adding a cushioning foam mattress topper (if your bed is already firm) or purchasing a new mattress that’s beneficial to side sleepers. You can also check out our latest roundup of the best mattresses for pregnancy!
• You have clinical medical needs. Those with serious medical needs might want to consider specially made hospital beds and mattresses. These are available online or in stores at a variety of retailers. Adjustable or hospital-grade beds and accompanying mattresses can allow you to raise or lower your bed to stay comfortable. However, if you have specific medical needs, you should always check with your doctor or healthcare provider. 

Other articles of interest if you have pain issues:

• Best Mattresses for Back Pain
• Best Mattress for Neck Pain
• Best Mattress for Arthritis
• Best Orthopedic Mattress

Buying a Mattress In-Store

Looking for the best place to buy a mattress? So how does one go about buying a mattress? There are two main options: buying in a store or online.

A variety of retailers offer mattresses, including:

• Big box stores
• Department stores
• Specialty stores
• Furniture stores

Regardless of their type or if they specialize in mattresses, these stores should all have competent and knowledgeable people to assist you and a variety of mattresses and models to choose from.

Prepare for a shopping trip at any of these stores with the following tips:

• Have some ideas in mind before walking in. Before heading out to shop in-store, spend a minute thinking about what you like or dislike about your mattress, sleeping position, and special needs. Take a peek online at the different brands available in the store you’re going to so you have a place to start when walking through the door.
• Lie on the mattress. Do not purchase a mattress you haven’t laid down on in the store. Wear comfortable clothing, and tell the salesperson that you need some time. Aim for five to 10 minutes on the bed in the position you typically sleep in. While it’s not a lot of time, a Consumer Reports evaluation found that “panelists who took beds home for a month-long trial rarely changed the opinion they formed after the first night.”
• Confirm the return policy and warranty details while in the store. Since there is a salesperson right there, make sure to ask if they offer a trial period or what their return policy might be. For example, is there a restocking fee? Ask how long the warranty is and what the details might be. (Check our Warranty section for information regarding what questions to ask.)
• Plan to negotiate. Some stores may be willing to negotiate the price of the mattress. Specialty chains typically have big markups and can bring the price down pretty significantly if you haggle. If you’re also considering a foundation or box spring, you can try to work that into the deal along with any potential restocking fees. It’s also worth asking if the company offers any price match guarantees (although it can be hard to comparison shop between bigger chains).

Buying a Mattress Online 

So, how do you buy a mattress online? Many people prefer to buy mattresses on Amazon or through retailers that will send a mattress directly to their doors. This not only cuts out the hassle of driving to a store and dealing with a potentially smothering salesperson, but it often means one can skip the price markup from these stores and get a better deal on a bed.

One downside to this method of purchasing a mattress is that you won’t get to try out the bed in person before you buy it. That is why many online retailers — also called bed-in-a-box mattress brands (even though not all beds purchased online are boxed up) — offer free shipping and risk-free trial periods so you can take some time at home to decide if the bed is right for you.

Here are some best way to get the most out of an online mattress purchase:

• Have an idea of what you want. This is similar advice to shopping in-store, but it really will save time and lessen the chance of hating a new mattress and having to return it. Spend some time researching brands, reading reviews, and defining personal preferences,  mattress goals, and budget in advance.
• Check out mattresses during sales periods. While many bed-in-a-box retailers won’t haggle, that doesn’t mean their products won’t go on sale every now and then. Big holidays like Black Friday (or even smaller ones like Presidents’ Day) can be good for mattress sales both online and in-store, so keep your eyes open and don’t be afraid to chat up that customer service rep to see what promotions are available.
• Get ready to unbox it. Once you’ve found the ideal brand and model and made your purchase, more likely than not your mattress will show up compressed at your doorstep. Some online retailers will offer White Glove Delivery — in which the delivery people will set it in the bedroom — but in most cases, customers are left to get the mattress on the bed by themselves. Make sure it’s okay for the mattress to be left outside your house if you won’t be home, and enlist friends or family to help you move it if need be. Follow all unboxing instructions and allow the mattress to “breathe” or ventilate with an open window or fan if needed.
• Use the trial period wisely. If the mattress comes with a trial period, make sure to spend as much time on the mattress as possible to let your body adjust to the new construction and to make sure the mattress was a sound investment. Read all the fine print so you don’t unintentionally do something to the mattress (such as staining or damaging it) that makes it impossible to return.
• Return it if necessary and try again. If a mattress doesn’t work out, contact the brand’s customer service team and arrange to have the mattress picked up. Don’t worry; they won’t put the old bed back into their inventory to re-sell — but that does make this process less environmentally friendly. Ask the retailer what they plan to do with the returned mattress; some retailers will donate them.

Mattress Prices: Worth the Investment?

Buying a mattress is a big investment — and like most investments, you get more the more you’re willing to pay. That being said, it’s possible to find decent mattresses for relatively cheap.

Here’s an overview of what should be available in various price ranges. The prices reflect full-price offerings in a Queen size.

$250 to $500

These will be the most basic options with limited details and features. It is possible to find innerspring, foam, and maybe a few hybrid options in this range. The brand names may not be super familiar, so it’s wise to do some research beforehand. Expect fewer coils and less dense foam layers, so the durability won’t be as high as more expensive options. But it’s definitely possible to find a new bed in this price range.

If you’re shopping in this price range, check out the best affordable mattresses.

$501 to $1,000

In this price range, it is easy to find a selection of all types of mattresses, including hybrid models, adjustable air beds, and even some basic smart mattresses. They will most likely not be the most luxurious models, but they will be made with high-quality materials and come with a decent trial and warranty period.

If you’re shopping in this price range, check out the best mattresses under $1,000.

$1,001 to $2,000

In this range, one will see more premium materials become available. Gel-infused foams, natural latex, and organic options should be accessible at this price point. Top-name brands and bed-in-a-box retailers should all have several models in this range as well, which really opens one up to comparing beds in detail.

If you’re shopping in this price range, check out the best mattresses under $2,000.

$2,001 to $5,000

Mattresses in this range will come with the newest and most exclusive materials that are durable and made with quality workmanship. One should be able to find more natural options; smart beds with high-end technology are also included in this price range. There are a lot of options in terms of where to shop, from high-end retailers to the most well-known online brands and everything in between.

$5,000-plus

These are the top-of-the-line, high-end luxury mattresses. The utmost attention to detail can be found here. For $5,000 and up, one can expect superb craftsmanship and mattresses that take days to make by hand. They will feature the most natural materials sourced from all over the world. Coil count? We’re talking 4,000-plus.

If you’re looking for the best of the best, check out the best luxury mattresses.

Policies: What to Expect

Mattress brands offer risk-free trials, lifetime warranties, and a variety of other attractive promotional policies to get your attention. Some of these policies are great for helping prevent buyer’s remorse and ensuring you get what you want and pay for. But it’s important to always read the fine print.

Below, I’ll go through what to expect with each policy and make the fine print clearer.

Trial Periods

Basically, a trial period means a customer gets a certain amount of time to try your mattress out at home risk-free before deciding if they would keep it. This option has become increasingly popular. That’s especially true for bed-in-a-box and other online mattress sales, which don’t let one feel out the bed before purchasing it. Trial periods are a way to help customers confirm that a mattress is a good fit before fully investing.

As noted above, while many mattress retailers will take the mattress back, they will not reuse it. This can create a wasteful situation from an environmental standpoint. Try your best to make a purchase that you think will be the best fit to avoid sending back too many used mattresses.

Warranties

Generally speaking, the mattress warranty is an important piece of information that covers customers if there is a manufacturing or product defect. The Federal Trade Commission says the law requires that warranties be available to read before buying — even when shopping by catalog or on the internet.

Always make sure the mattress has a tag attached that says “do not remove under penalty of law.” This will ensure the mattress has not been tampered with.

Here are some additional things to look out for when checking a mattress warranty:

• Length of the warranty. Mattress warranties come in a variety of lengths. Many will be stipulated in years, but one may also see some “Lifetime” or “Limited Lifetime” options. Always read the fine print to determine exactly how many years that is.
• Prorated vs. non-prorated. In some cases, a manufacturer will pay shoppers back for the full price of a mattress but only during the first number of years they own a mattress. After that, one could be responsible for a percentage of the mattress price should something come up in the warranty.
• Sagging. Sagging, particularly in a mattress made of foam, is a common warranty issue. It’s worth looking to see if a certain sagging depth is included in the warranty. This way, if the bed sags a lot and you are worried about a defect, you can measure to see if you are covered by the warranty.

Keep in mind there are a couple easy ways to void your warranty:

• Staining or damaging the mattress with any sort of fluids is a surefire way to void a warranty. The easy way to ensure this won’t happen is to put a waterproof protector on the mattress immediately after purchase.
• Your warranty will be void if you do not provide the proper support for your mattress. The warranty should indicate which type of support is needed; this will vary depending on the mattress’s construction. (See our section above on box springs, foundations, platform beds, and adjustable beds for more information.)
• In some cases, it is necessary to rotate or flip the mattress on a consistent basis so it wears evenly, and failure to do so may void the warranty.
• Removing the mattress tag may void the warranty, which is why it’s important to keep the tag on the mattress.
• If you are not the original owner or purchaser of your mattress, the warranty will not be in good standing.
• The manufacturer’s warranty does not cover the event that you just don’t like your mattress. If it doesn’t meet your standards simply based on personal preference, you will most likely not be able to get a refund (unless you’re within a risk-free trial period timeline).

Mattress Delivery

Before you grab the rope and get ready to strap that mattress onto the roof of your car, arm yourself with information about the different ways you can get your mattress to your house. Here are some of the most popular strategies:

• Ship it directly to your door. More likely than not, retailers will offer an option to have the mattress delivered to your door. Many bed-in-a-box retailers offer free shipping, and you may be able to negotiate that into the price of your mattress if picking one out in a showroom. Just make sure you figure out if you need to be home to sign for it or if they can leave it at the door (and be sure it’s safe to leave your new bed unattended).
• Upgrade to White Glove Delivery service. Some retailers offer an elevated mattress delivery experience. White Glove means one or two people will deliver the mattress and set it up in the bedroom, taking away all the unboxing materials with them. In some cases, they may even take away the old mattress. This is usually an added cost, but if the old bed is heavy or there are a lot of stairs, it could be worth it.
• Hire someone to get it home. Luckily it’s 2018, and there are services that let you hire people to help you with things such as moving a mattress. If you need someone to grab your bed and bring it home, consider options such as TaskRabbit to get some assistance.
• Bring it home yourself. There’s nothing like carting that mattress home the old-fashioned way: in the back of your car or the bed of your truck. If you don’t have a truck, try asking a friend or family member if you can borrow one in exchange for dinner or a full tank of gas. Just remember to use straps to keep the mattress firmly secured. Also, make sure to read about how to move a mattress.

If you are accepting a delivery, always inspect your mattress and/or box spring or foundation before the delivery person leaves, and refuse to take it if it is damaged. Check to make sure the mattress tag that says “all new material” is attached as well. If your bed-in-a-box arrives at your door when you’re not home, look at it as soon as possible and call customer service if you find any issues.

Also, don’t forget about mattress disposal. Make sure that the delivery service will take your old mattress when you deliver your new one.

The Bottom Line

There are definitely a lot of factors that go into buying a new mattress. The more you know about your own personal sleep habits and preferences, the easier it will be to navigate the world of mattress sales online or in-store.

Remember, there is no one “universal best mattress” out there that is a good fit for everyone. So take your time researching your options, and always read the fine print before signing on the dotted line. The great news is many modern mattress brands offer trial periods or generous return policies, which allow you to spend a few nights on your bed before making a long-term commitment.

We wish you good luck on your mattress hunt and many good nights of sleep to come!